After three years of research, Captive Media, a
technology and manufacturing company based in the U.K., introduced
the stream-controlled gaming system a year ago in a London bar. The
firm recently raised $700,000 in funding to bring the hands-free
technology beyond Europe and to the United States.

According to the company’s research,
the average man relieves himself for 55 seconds. Now those 55
seconds can be used playing games in addition to the monotonous
task of relieving your bladder.

So what is an interactive urinal?

Instead of the traditional trip to the loo where
you do your business and leave, Captive Media has introduced the
concept of high-definition, 12-inch LCD screens above urinals in
public bathrooms. The screens come integrated with sensors encased
in an IP-rated enclosure. The system is embedded with Windows 7 and
is powered by one of Intel’s Atom dual core
microprocessors.

The gaming console uses infrared sensors rather
than microwave sensors so that plumbing does not have to be
tampered with in public restrooms. Captive Media also thought it
was important to implement a sensor unit that did not contain
cameras for safety and privacy reasons.

How it works

The device is placed directly above the urinal.
You approach the urinal while advertisements are playing on the
screens. When they system detects your presence, a game appears on
the screen. (For example, in the video below you will see the
skiing challenge.) The contactless sensors detect the position of
your urine stream. Then you must direct your flow right or left in
order to navigate on the screen. When you are finished, the score
appears on the screen.

Players are even encouraged to post their scores
on Twitter to a live leaderboard so they can compete with their
friends.

Watch the video below for the product animation
demonstration.

What about women?

Although anatomy makes it impossible for women
to use this device, Captive Media will also introduce a unit for
the ladies room that will contain quiz games in locations such as
hand-dryers. ■